Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Adrien “Bo” Rivard and the reappointments of Ronald M. Bergeron and Richard A. Corbett to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Rivard, 41, of Panama City, has been a partner with Harrison Rivard Duncan & Buzzett since 2002 and is the past-president of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Samford University. He succeeds Kathy Barco and is appointed for a term beginning March 8, 2013, and ending August 1, 2017.

Bergeron, 69, of Weston, is owner and president of Bergeron Family of Companies. He is a member of the Broward County Airboat Association and the Everglades Coordinating Council. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 8, 2013, and ending August 1, 2017.

Corbett, 74, of Tampa, is owner and president of Concorde Companies. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from Harvard University. He is reappointed for a term beginning March 8, 2013, and ending January 6, 2018.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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CCA Florida would like to commend the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) and their officers in another job well done. In one of the latest cases three of their officers Chris Holleman, Sandy Blackburn and Tim Sweat out of Nassau County worked together to catch two men that were illegally taking redfish. These and other FWC Officers are always working hard to conserve and protect the resource and CCA is very appreciative for the added protection they bring to the coastal areas. For more on this case please see the FWC press release below.

Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission

33 gigged redfish result in fines, jail time for violators

Possession of 33 gigged redfish recently resulted in fines and jail time for two Fernandina Beach men.

George Bartchlette (DOB 07/16/39) and Ronald Waters (DOB 09/25/65) were caught by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers with 33 redfish taken by illegal method.

FWC officers Chris Holleman, Sandy Blackburn and Tim Sweat worked the case.

“Officer Blackburn let me know a boat was headed my way,” said Holleman, who had been on patrol at Holly Point boat ramp in Nassau County. “I could hear the vessel’s engine running as they neared in the Nassau River. When they got inside Christopher Creek, they shut down the engine. I could hear the men walking in the marsh approximately 25 yards from the ramp just before they paddled into the ramp.” 

The officers walked into the marsh and discovered two laundry baskets with 33 redfish. All the fish had punctures consistent with gig marks. There were 19 undersize redfish between 14.25 inches and 17.75 inches, one oversize redfish (29.5 inches) and 13 slot-size redfish.

“We seized the gigs and lights. The case went to the state’s attorney and we obtained arrest warrants for Bartchlette and Waters,” Holleman said.

Bartchlette was charged with over the bag limit, possession of undersize and oversize fish and illegal take because the fish had been gigged. Waters was charged with illegal take of two fish.

Both men were recently adjudicated guilty in Nassau County.

Waters was fined $1,003.

Bartchlette was fined $4,150 and sentenced to 30 days in jail. His seized equipment was forfeited to the FWC. In addition, Bartchlette received a $90 fine foroperating a vessel with no navigational lights.

“This was a great resource case,” said FWC Lt. Clint Thompson, patrol supervisor for Duval and Nassau counties. “The officers involved did an outstanding job.

“I’d also like to thank Nassau County Prosecutor Johnna Lessard, who did an outstanding job in prosecuting this case,” Thompson said.

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